Have you ever been walking in Time Square and bumped into an old schoolmate or a neighbor or relative? Its crazy, but it happens. I've seen the most random freaks and friends riding the subway in New York. It is amazing that in such a big city, the world around you can feel so small.
And the theatre community? Fogetaboutit! The more you work, the more the Theatre starts to feel like a large, extended family. Only it's the family you actually LIKE and WANT to see often.
You can pretty much play the "Do You Know" game with an actor you just met and eventually there will have a director or a designer or a stage manager in common! That commonality, feeling like a family, like a community feels good! At least to me. Makes me feel like I know who I am, like I was meant to be here, doing what I do, even when it is tough.
Like: I was introduced to the venerable New York Neo-Futurists by my dear friend from college and IT Award maven, Shay Gines. That's why I saw their show, and why I ended up auditioning 2 years ago. When I entered that ensemble it didn't take long to learn that my new friends like Erica Livingston and Kevin R. Free knew and had worked with people from all OVER my life!
I know it sounds corny but as I near Thanksgiving, I truly am thankful for friends like Shay and Erica and Kevin and the NYNF ensemble, and the Emerging Artists Theatre and the larger and larger family making art around me in New York. I am happy to be here. And that family is a big reason why I am glad to be a New York actor.
So, on Monday, the Neo-Futurists are having this cool, little benefit for our autobiographical, full-length, multi-media show in November called "(Not) Just A Day Like Any Other." The show is about a real-life day in the life of me and 4 others that took our lives in a new direction. So, for the benefit, Neos will be auctioning off an experience that they will share with the winner, going somewhere, doing something.
I'm imagine my friends coming to the benefit to bid on a day spent with my Neo family...seems a little incestuous, but it is actually awesome! They get to know more about each other without my awkward introductions and my web of friends becomes tighter! So...what?...big city...small world...big family...small theatres....its a good life.
Hey here is the informaton on both the Benefit on Monday and the Show in November, come be a part of my family!
1. Here is the BENEFIT info:(Not) Just A Benefit Like Any OtherMonday, October 276:30 - 9:30 PMThe Ailey Studios, Joan Weill Center for Dance405 West 55th Street @ 9th AvenueNew York, New York 10019Suggested $5 donation at the door there will be refreshments! and unusual ART!
2. Here is the SHOW info:(Not) Just A Day Like Any OtherNovember 6 - 22Thur, Fri, Sat 8:00 PMThe Red Room - 85 East 4th Street (near Second Avenue)Tickets are $15 and are available at Theatermania.com
(here is a link to a weird little promo video I did for the show (Iʼm vlogs #9 and #2) ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMx7oko_X-8. and you can check out tne Neo website on www.nynf.org.
Borg out!
Christopher Borg, Communications Manager
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Queens Innovative Theatre Artists: we're coming to you!
I have to tell you, I know very little about Queens - ashamed to say that after nine years of NYC living (Brooklyn girl), I still don't get how people in Queens get their mail and find their homes, but I understand that's really my problem. I'm proud to say that in planning this event, I'm catching on! Sort of...:)
So a few weeks before our Awards ceremony, Taryn Drongowski from APAC got ahold of us to talk about reaching out to Queens theatres and artists about the IT Awards. Great idea - i'm always looking for ways to get the word out about the IT Awards, and what we came up with (together with the amazing Queens Council on the Arts) was to host a happy hour - very chill, no speakers or putting people on the spot - just a couple of hours where we can meet artists, companies & venues, and they can meet each other. I hope to have events like this all over the city at some point - you hear that, Brooklyn?
So there you have it! Pass the word on to your fellow Queens artists, companies & venues, and be there or be square!
ps - SPECIAL thanks go out to QCA & LIC Bar. you rock.
WHO: Queens theatre artists, companies & venues; the more, the merrier!
WHEN: Monday, October 20, 2008, 7pm - 9pm
WHERE: LIC Bar 45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
YOUR HOSTS: Morgan Lindsey Tachco (IT Awards), Taryn Drongowski (Astoria Performing Arts Center) & Meredith Blouin (Queens Council on the Arts)
RSVP/Questions: community@nyitawards.com
Join The New York Innovative Theatre Awards together with the Queens Council on the Arts and Astoria Performing Arts Center for a happy hour at LIC Bar!
We want to know what it takes to make theatre in Queens, and introduce you to not only the IT Awards and Queens Council on the Arts, but give you a chance to meet your fellow artists, companies & venues.
We hope to see you there!
Morgan Lindsey Tachco
Community Relations Manager,
New York Innovative Theatre Awards
Taryn Drongowski
Executive Director,
Astoria Performing Arts Center
Meredith Blouin,
Queens Council on the Arts
About the NEW YORK INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARDS
The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation was created to bring recognition to the great work being done in New York City's Off-Off-Broadway, to honor its artistic heritage, and to provide a meeting ground for this extensive community. The organization advocates for Off-Off-Broadway and recognizes the unique and essential role it plays in contributing to American and global culture. We believe that publicly recognizing excellence in Off-Off-Broadway will expand audience awareness and appreciation of the full New York theatre experience. www.nyitawards.com
About the ASTORIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
APAC was founded in 2001 as an Off-Off Broadway theater company that complements main-stage productions with community programming, including writing and performance programs for Queens youth and senior citizens. APAC's 2004 production of Is There Life After High School? was recognized with an Off-Off Broadway Review Award. APAC's 2006 production of Forever Plaid was honored with three New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations, in the categories of Production, Direction, and Choreography. Our productions of A New Brain, Proof and Triumph of Love received nominations for Outstanding Set Design and most recently Triumph of Love also received two more nominations, Outstanding Production of a Musical and Outstanding Lead Actress, Abby Baum. For more information about APAC, including a downloadable media kit, visit www.apacny.org.
About the QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
Queens Council on the Arts, founded in 1966, fosters and develops the arts in Queens, through a number of programs supporting arts organizations and artists of all disciplines. Offering a multi-tiered approach, including granting programs (the Queens Community Arts Fund) for artistic projects open to the public, professional development workshops, networking and mentorship opportunities, portfolio development and other arts services, and arts education grants and programming, QCA helps artists and cultural groups present the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Queens county to local residents as well as the larger community. QCA continually grows partnerships with other organizations serving the artistic community, and has been widely recognized as leader in bringing attention to the innovative work of Queens artists. www.queenscouncilarts.org
So a few weeks before our Awards ceremony, Taryn Drongowski from APAC got ahold of us to talk about reaching out to Queens theatres and artists about the IT Awards. Great idea - i'm always looking for ways to get the word out about the IT Awards, and what we came up with (together with the amazing Queens Council on the Arts) was to host a happy hour - very chill, no speakers or putting people on the spot - just a couple of hours where we can meet artists, companies & venues, and they can meet each other. I hope to have events like this all over the city at some point - you hear that, Brooklyn?
So there you have it! Pass the word on to your fellow Queens artists, companies & venues, and be there or be square!
ps - SPECIAL thanks go out to QCA & LIC Bar. you rock.
Queens Innovative Theatre Artist's Happy Hour!
WHO: Queens theatre artists, companies & venues; the more, the merrier!
WHEN: Monday, October 20, 2008, 7pm - 9pm
WHERE: LIC Bar 45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
YOUR HOSTS: Morgan Lindsey Tachco (IT Awards), Taryn Drongowski (Astoria Performing Arts Center) & Meredith Blouin (Queens Council on the Arts)
RSVP/Questions: community@nyitawards.com
Join The New York Innovative Theatre Awards together with the Queens Council on the Arts and Astoria Performing Arts Center for a happy hour at LIC Bar!
We want to know what it takes to make theatre in Queens, and introduce you to not only the IT Awards and Queens Council on the Arts, but give you a chance to meet your fellow artists, companies & venues.
We hope to see you there!
Morgan Lindsey Tachco
Community Relations Manager,
New York Innovative Theatre Awards
Taryn Drongowski
Executive Director,
Astoria Performing Arts Center
Meredith Blouin,
Queens Council on the Arts
About the NEW YORK INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARDS
The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation was created to bring recognition to the great work being done in New York City's Off-Off-Broadway, to honor its artistic heritage, and to provide a meeting ground for this extensive community. The organization advocates for Off-Off-Broadway and recognizes the unique and essential role it plays in contributing to American and global culture. We believe that publicly recognizing excellence in Off-Off-Broadway will expand audience awareness and appreciation of the full New York theatre experience. www.nyitawards.com
About the ASTORIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
APAC was founded in 2001 as an Off-Off Broadway theater company that complements main-stage productions with community programming, including writing and performance programs for Queens youth and senior citizens. APAC's 2004 production of Is There Life After High School? was recognized with an Off-Off Broadway Review Award. APAC's 2006 production of Forever Plaid was honored with three New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations, in the categories of Production, Direction, and Choreography. Our productions of A New Brain, Proof and Triumph of Love received nominations for Outstanding Set Design and most recently Triumph of Love also received two more nominations, Outstanding Production of a Musical and Outstanding Lead Actress, Abby Baum. For more information about APAC, including a downloadable media kit, visit www.apacny.org.
About the QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
Queens Council on the Arts, founded in 1966, fosters and develops the arts in Queens, through a number of programs supporting arts organizations and artists of all disciplines. Offering a multi-tiered approach, including granting programs (the Queens Community Arts Fund) for artistic projects open to the public, professional development workshops, networking and mentorship opportunities, portfolio development and other arts services, and arts education grants and programming, QCA helps artists and cultural groups present the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Queens county to local residents as well as the larger community. QCA continually grows partnerships with other organizations serving the artistic community, and has been widely recognized as leader in bringing attention to the innovative work of Queens artists. www.queenscouncilarts.org
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